The effect of the Thanksgiving Holiday on weight gain
2006

Thanksgiving Holiday Weight Gain in College Students

Sample size: 94 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Holly R Hull, Radley Duncan, Mary K Dinger, David A Fields

Primary Institution: University of Oklahoma

Hypothesis

Does body weight change during the Thanksgiving holiday in college students?

Conclusion

Participants gained a significant amount of body weight during the Thanksgiving holiday, particularly those who were overweight or obese.

Supporting Evidence

  • Participants gained an average of 0.5 kg during the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • Graduate students gained an average of 0.8 kg.
  • Overweight/obese participants gained an average of 1.0 kg.

Takeaway

College students tend to gain weight during Thanksgiving, especially if they are already overweight. This could lead to long-term health issues.

Methodology

Participants were measured for body weight before and after the Thanksgiving holiday, with data collected from 94 college students.

Potential Biases

Self-selection bias may have occurred as participants had a personal interest in monitoring their weight.

Limitations

The study may have self-selection bias and participants might have altered their behavior due to awareness of the study's focus.

Participant Demographics

Participants were predominantly Caucasian (75%), with a mix of African Americans (5%), Asians (4%), Hispanics (10%), and Native Americans (6%).

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1475-2891-5-29

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